Mike Franks Photography

27/12/2022

The last chance for a motorcycle event before the end of 2022. Today was the Golden Valley Classic MCC Trials Day which was held in the woods at Cowcombe Hill near Stroud in Gloucestershire.

To think I worry about taking my bike out when the roads are a bit wet with a few leaves about. Watching these guys ploughing their way through mud, swamp, and up hills with consummate ease made me feel a bit of a wuss. There were some absolutely beautiful old bikes on display some familiar makes and some I'd never heard of. All in all a very enjoyable if muddy day.

BTW - I have hundreds more photos for the guys who didn't feature in this post - drop me a note.

21/08/2022

Ledbury Flyer - Grasstrack Racing
Today I traveled 60 miles to enjoy a day of grasstrack racing. Kids, teens, men and women. Bikes, Quads, Sidecars. Lots of skids and spills, and a couple of fairly spectacular crashes but overall there was the muck.
As they say in football "It was a game of two halves" The first half was dominated by dust and after a lengthy injury break the heavens opened and the dust turned to mud.
This was not as slick as yesterday's road bike event but it had a nice family atmosphere and the drama was outstanding.
I must seek out more of these events.

Lots more photos at https://ruralimaging.co.uk/the-ledbury-flyer/

20/08/2022

A fabulous day at Castle Combe Circuit for the Motorcycle Grand National event. Seven hours at the course resulted in 1100 images, most of which were useable. Here's a small selection of some of my favourites. There's a second day of racing tomorrow if anyone is at a loose end.

On the technical side, for the photographers among you..... You try to find a shutter speed that provides blur on the wheels but, with smooth panning renders the rider and bike sharp. Just when you get it right the sun decides to duck behind a cloud. It keeps you on your toes.

02/07/2022

Historic Car Rally passing by my garden gate this morning. Can't get more convenient than that.

https://ruralimaging.co.uk/cotswold-historic-road-rally/

23/06/2022

Speedy looking shiny and red (and a little bit sketchy)

08/06/2022

I've been experimenting with Photoshop actions to create painterly versions of my band shots from last weekend, with mixed success. But interesting effects nontheless....

06/06/2022

Something Different - Band Photography at The Forum, Royal Tunbridge Wells. This was so much fun and an opportunity to go crazy with the post-production.

The main reason for being there was to photograph Herahera, a band in which Gill's daughter plays bass. Started with outdoor shots and then took a lot more during the performance.

There are also some shots of Zap Euphoria, who were the headline act and feature Herahera's producer on bass.

You can see the full photo collection here.... https://ruralimaging.co.uk/herahera-the-forum/

Band Links
https://www.facebook.com/heraheraband
https://www.instagram.com/heraheraband/

https://www.facebook.com/Zap-Euphoria-104255455393818
https://www.instagram.com/zap_euphoria/

12/05/2022

I discovered that my old travel blog had become corrupted and I'm in the process of rebuilding it to its former glory. But while going through the old photos I discovered that there were a lot of motorbike and scooter-related images. As a fairly new member of the motorbiking community looking at them now makes my blood run cold. But you have to admire the skills. In particular the balloon seller, the joiner with his 5m long plank and the guy going up the centre of the street in what appears to be a game of chicken.

04/05/2022

28/04/2022

....and track 16 glides down the slipway......

A bit of a strange one. Purely instrumental, I toyed with the title "schizophrenia" as it's all over the place melodically.

A bit of a strange one - Instrumental aside from a couple of tortured screams. I toyed with the title "schizophrenia" as it has a split personality.